Semi-automatic hog and calf feed dispenser



y 1965 o. c. WALRAVEN 3,181,505

SEMI-AUTOMATIC HOG AND CALF FEED DISPENSER Filed April 9, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ollie C. Wa/raven INVENTOR.

y 1965 o. c. WALRAVEN 3,181,505

SEMI-AUTOMATIC HOG AND CALF FEED DISPENSER Filed April 9, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ollie C. Wa/raven 1 N VEN TOR.

Q4... BY MM 1,

y 1955 o. c. WALRAVEN 3,181,505

SEMI-AUTQMATIC HOG AND CALF FEED DISPENSER Filed April 9, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 n E k Ollie C. WG/IGVGI? ZNVENTOR.

BY WM y 1965 o. c. WALRAVEN 3,181,505

SEMIAUTOMATIC HOG AND CALF FEED DISPENSER Filed April 9, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 M Ollie C. Walrus/en v IN VENTOR. D LI BY United States Patent 3,181,505 SEMi-AUTOMATIC HQG AND CALIF FEED DESPENSER Qllie C. Walraven, RR, Erwin, S. Dali. Filed Apr. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 271,757 4 Claims, (Q1. 119-51) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in feed dispensers, and is specifically concerned with a device which, in addition to dispensing the feed also mixes the feed and provides for the necessary soaking of generally ten to twelve hours.

It is one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a semi-automatic feed dispenser which, upon introduction of the proper quantities of water, feed, vitamins and tonics, agitates and thoroughly mixes such for a subsequent controlled discharge to a plurality of feed troughs of the type normally used by farm animals such as pigs and calves.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide that the agitation portion of the dispenser be provided with flat enlarged paddles thus producing a splashing effect tending to insure a complete and thorough mixing of the ingredients.

In conjunction with the above object, it is also an object of the present invention to specifically orientate at least one of the paddles so as to, in addition to agitating the mixture, also maintain the discharge opening free of any deposits or buildups of material so as to insure a constant uninterrupted flow therethrough.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide for a regulated flow of the feed from the main dispensing line into the individual troughs so as to produce an equal flow into each trough.

It is also an object of the present invention to achieve the above desirable features in an expeditious and relatively simple, though highly unique, manner.

Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser which is capable of economical commercial manufacture thus making it readily available to even the small farmer.

Likewise, it is an object of the present invention to provide an efiicient and effective feed dispenser which requires practically no upkeep or maintenance other than an occasional flushing of the agitator tank and lines.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the feed dispenser of the instant invention, a plurality of feed troughs being illustrated in cross section so as to show the relationship of the individual feed lines thereto;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view of the device;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged partial elevational view of the other end of the device illustrating the mixing tank and drive means therefor;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along line 4-4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 5-5 in FIG- URE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 66 in FIGURE 2 and illustrating the manner in which the flow of feed from the main dispensing line through the individual feed lines is regulated.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 16 generally designates the feed dispenser hldlfidfi l atented lit/lay 4, 1965 comprising the present invention. This dispenser consists first of all of an enlarged cylindrical mixing tank 12 provided with a full length material-receiving hopper 14 communicated with its upper edge, this hopper 14 having a suitable hinged lid 16 thereon.

Extending centrally through the tank 12 and rotatably mounted along the longitudinal axis thereof by sealed roller bearings 18 mounted in the end Walls 26 of the tank 12 is the shaft 22. The agitation of the feed 23 is accomplished by means of paddle-type agitator blades 24 rigid with and projecting radially from the shaft 22 at longitudinally spaced points therealong, the blades 24 alternately extending from the shaft 22 at from each other. In order to provide the desired agitation and complete mixing of the feed 23, the agitator blades 24- are each formed of a flat substantially rigid arm 26 having a fiat enlarged generally rectangular paddle 28 secured to the outer end thereof in any suitable manner, this paddle 2% preferably being of slightly flexible hard rubber.

The mixing tank 12 is to be mounted upon any suitable support such as the leg-supported cradle 3d illustrated in the drawings, this being desirable so as to allow for a gravity flow of the feed.

After the feed 23 has been suitably agitated or mixed and allowed to soak for approximately ten to twelve hours, it is dispensed through a discharge opening 32 located within the bot-torn central portion of the tank 12, the feed 23 flowing through a discharge line 34 controlled by a trap valve 3 6. During this dispensing of the feed, it is desirable that the blades 24 be continuously rotated so as to keep all the materials in suspension. In regard to the centrally located discharge opening 32;, it is deemed essential that one of the paddle-type agitator blades 24' be orientated so as to move directly thereover, this blade 24' being of a length so as to position the outer edge of its paddle 23' as close as feasible to the discharge opening thus preventing any undesirable buildup or accumu lation of the feed at this point during the dispensing, this providing for a constant automatic cleaning of the tank in the vital area of the discharge of the feed therefrom.

As will be noted in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4, a drain plug 37 is provided through one of the end walls 20 so as to facilitate a cleaning of the tank 12.

The feed 23, upon flowing through the discharge line 34, flows into a lower laterally extending main dispensing line 38, the length of which is governed by the number of troughs 4a to be supplied, it being noted from FIGURE 1 that the main dispensing line 38 extends in two opposed directions from the centrally located discharge line 34.

Located in depending relationship at longitudinally spaced points along the main dispensing line 38 are a plurality of relatively short feeder lines 42, these feeder lines 42, being of a generally flexible nature so as to allow for a compressive restriction of the flow passage therethrough, are secured to the dispensing line 38 in a fluidtight manner by a suitable T-type connector 44-. The outer ends of the dispensing line are provided with caps 46.

As the feed or slop 23 flows through the discharge line 34 and into the dispensing line 38, because of the rate of flow, there is a tendency for this feed to flow past the feeder lines 42 spaced therealong. However, upon the flow reaching the capped ends 46 of the dispensing line 38 a back pressure of the feed develops, this back pressure being greatest at the outer end of the dispensing line. Accordingly, so as to insure the flowing of an equal amount of feed 23 through each of the feeder lines 42, clamps 48, for example conventional circumferentially engageable and adjustable hose clamps, are provided about each feeder line 42 so as to regulate the size of the flow passage therethrough with the feeder lines 42 located the greatest distance from the discharge line 34 being clamped the most severe, approximately to one-half full capacity, and with each adjacent feeder line 42, as the discharge line 34 is approached, being clamped slightly less severe.

Referring now again to the means for agitating the feed 23 within the tank 12, it will be noted that one end of the shaft 22 extends a substantial distance beyond the adjacent end 26 of the tank 12 and has a pulley i) fixed thereto, this pulley 5%, along with the shaft 22, being driven through an endless belt 52 from a pulley 54 rotatably mounted by suitable shaft means 56 extending from the end wall 24) of the tank 12. This last mentioned pulley 54 is in turn driven through a coaxial pully 58 operatively associated therewith and also mounted on the shaft 56. The energy for the aforementioned driving of the pulleys is supplied by the motor 60' having a drive pulley 62 thereon, this drive pulley engaged with the pulley 58 through an endless belt 64.

As will be appreciated from FIGURE 3, the tension on the belt 52 is maintained by an idler pulley 66 mounted on a pivotally mounted arm 63 which is in turn biased by spring means 76 into constant engagement with the belt 52 between the pulleys 5t and 54-.

The power source or motor 69 is preferably mounted upon a flat platform 72 which is fixed to the frame 30, or a rigid extension '74 thereof, by both a hinged connection 76 along one edge thereof and an adjustable leg 78 engaged adjacent the opposite end thereof, this adjustable leg 78'consisting of two sections 89 and 82 having an elongated arcuate slot 84 and threaded bolt 86 thereon so as to enable a generally longitudinal adjustment of the sections 80 and 82 relative to each other thus varying the position of the motor 60 which enables the maintaining of the desired tension on the belt 64.

From the foregoing, it is considered to be readily apparent that a simple though highly novel feed mixer and dispenser has been defined. In operation, the various ingredients of the feed are introduced to the mixing tank through the hopper at its upper end wherein they are effectively agitated by fiat blades. After the feed has been suitably mixed and then allowed to soak for the necessary period of time, a control valve is opened and the feed is discharged, through a discharge opening in the tank, into a main laterally extending dispensing line for subsequent discharge into a plurality of troughs spaced 7 along the dispensing line by means of short feeder lines extending from the dispensing line into each trough. During this discharge of the feed, the blades are continuously rotated, at least one of the blades being orientated so as to enable it to maintain the lower discharge opening free of any buildup or accumulation of the feed. inasmuch as there will be a tendency for the feed to initially flow past the feeder lines, the greater pressure within the dispensing line will develop from the closed ends thereof, and as such, in order to insure an equal distribution of the feed to all of the troughs, the feeder lines have the flow passages therein restricted progressively less severe from the outer ends of the dispensing line inwardly toward the discharge line, this being done by suitable hose clamps.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art,'it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What has been claimed as new is as follows:

1. A feed mixer and dispenser consisting of an enlarged agitator tank, means for introducing the feed ingredients into said tank, means for mixing said ingredients, a discharge opening in said tank, means for preventing an accumulation of feed about any portion of said opening, a discharge pipe communicated with said discharge opening, means for controlling the flow of feed from the tank and into the discharge pipe, and means for receiving the feed from said discharge pipe and distributing it equally to a plurality of individual feeding troughs, said last mentioned means consisting of an elongated dispensing line, a plurality of feeder lines communicating with. said dispensing line at longitudinally spaced points therealong, and means for independently adjusting the flow passage size of each of the feeder lines, said dispensing line having an uninterrupted flow passage throughout its length, said dispensing line terminating in a sealed end whereby a back pressure [of feed'is built up therein, said feeder lines being located between said discharge pipe and the sealed end of the dispensing line, the flow passages in the feeder lines progressively decreasing from the discharge pipe to the sealed end of the dispensing line, the means for mixing the ingredients including a centrally located rotatably mounted shaft within the tank, means for driving the shaft, and a plurality of radially projecting blades fixed to said shaft at longitudinally spaced points therealong, each of said blades consisting of a flat bar having an enlarged fiat plate secured transversely across to the outer end thereof one of said blades being so orientated and of such a length as to pass the fiat plate directly over the discharge opening and as close thereto as feasible, said fiat plate having a width greater than the width of the discharge opening and completely spanning said opening as it passes thereover, thereby constituting the means for preventing an accumulation of feed about the opening.

2. The device of claim 1 including motor means for driving said shaft, and belt and pulley means interconnecting said motor means and said shaft, said motor means being adjustably mounted for enabling a tensioning of the drive belt by a varying :of the motor means mounting.

3. A feed mixer and dispenser'consisting of an enlarged agitator tank, means for introducing the feed ingredients into said tank, means for mixing said ingredients, a discharge opening in said tank, means for preventing an accumulation of feed about any portion of said opening, a discharge pipe communicated with said discharge opening, means for controlling the flow of feed from the tank and into the discharge pipe, and means for receiving the feed from said discharge pipe and distributing it equally to a plurality of individual feeding troughs, said means. for mixing the ingredients including a centrally located rotatably mounted shaft within the tank, means for driving the shaft, and a plurality of radially projectmg blades fixed to said shaft at longitudinally spaced points therealong, each of said blades consisting of an elongated bar having an enlarged fiat plate secured transversely across the outer end thereof, one of said blades being so orientated and of such a length as to pass the flat plate directly over the discharge opening and as close thereto as feasible, said flat plate having a width greater than the width of the discharge opening and completely spanning said opening as it passes thereover, thereby constituting the means for preventing an accumulation of feed about the opening.

4. The. device of claim 3 including motor means for driving said shaft, and belt and pulley means interconnecting said motor means and said shaft, said motor means being adjustably mounted for enabling a tensioning of the drive belt by a varying of the motor means mounting.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 688,862 12/01 Kelly 119-74 2,128,873 8/38 Roberts 259-41 2,563,331 8/51 Hager 11951 2,929,356 3/60 Bacigalupo 119-51 SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner.

HUGH R. CHAMBLEE, Examiner. 

3. A FEED MIXER AND DISPENSER CONSITING OF AN ENLARGED AGITATOR TANK, MEANS FOR INTRODUCING THE FEED INGREDIENTS INTO SAID TANK, MEANS FORMIXING SAID INGREDIENTS, A DISCHARGE OPENING IN SAID TANK, MEANS FOR PREVENTING AN ACCUMULATION OF FEED ABOUT ANY PORTION OF SAID OPENING, A DISCHARGE PIPE COMMUNICATED WITH SAID DISCHARGE OPENING, MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF FEED FROM THE TANK AND INTO THE DISCHARGE PIPE, AND MEANS FOR RECEIVING THE FEED FROM SAID DISCHARGE PIPE AND DISTRIBUTING IT EQUALLY TO A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL FEEDING TROUGHS, SAID MEANS FOR MIXING THE INGREDIENTS INCLUDING A CENTRALLY LOCATED ROTATABLY MOUNTED SHAFT WITHIN THE TANK, MEANS FOR DRIVING THE SHAFT, AND A PLURALITY OF RADIALLY PROJECTING BLADES FIXED TO SAID SHAFT AT LONGITUDINALLY SPACED POINTS THEREALONG, EACH OF SAID BLADES CONSISTING OF AN 